Vilnius County: Culture, Castles and Nature

Vilnius County brings together archaeological heritage, historic buildings and landscapes of lakes, forests and rivers. When planning your trip, it’s worth choosing your focus first: would you like to explore castle mounds and museums, hike through a protected area, or combine culture and waterside experiences in Trakai?

Key facts

• The archaeological site of Kernavė is an exceptional record of around 10,000 years of human settlement in the region.
• The Kernavė Cultural Reserve includes 15 archaeological and three historical monuments; five castle mounds have been preserved.
• The historic centre of Vilnius includes areas of the three castles and the medieval walled city.
• The Vilnius region offers lakes, forests and rivers, as well as opportunities for hiking, kayaking and cycling.
• The Dūkštos educational trail is five kilometres long and runs through the valley of the Dūkštos Stream.
• Trakai combines an island castle with exhibitions and events, Lake Galvė and the tradition of savoury kibinai.

Experience history at specific sites

Kernavė brings the region’s long history of settlement to life particularly vividly: alongside its five surviving castle mounds, the Cultural Reserve contains numerous archaeological and historical monuments. Archaeological research material from the reserve is preserved and displayed at the Archaeological Site Museum. You can therefore explore Kernavė’s history through both its landscape and the evidence on display in the museum.

Vilnius offers a different perspective on the past. Its historic centre includes areas of the three castles and the area enclosed by a city wall in the Middle Ages. Vilnius is regarded as an outstanding example of a medieval foundation whose architectural and cultural development influenced large parts of Eastern Europe. The region’s manors are publicly accessible cultural centres; history, architecture and events are part of what they offer visitors.

The Struve Geodetic Arc and Medininkai Castle offer further perspectives on history. At Meškonys and Paliepiukai, symbolic memorial columns mark two of the three points of the UNESCO World Heritage property located in Lithuania. The restored northeast tower of Medininkai Castle, completed in 2012, houses a museum with four exhibitions and a viewing platform.

Compare walks and landscapes

The nature destinations each have their own distinct setting. The five-kilometre Dūkštos educational trail runs through the valley of the Dūkštos Stream. The equally long, winding Varnikai educational trail passes through the Varnikai Botanical-Zoological Reserve. The reserve covers 611 hectares of forest and the Ilgelis bog. The Varnikai Ecotourism Trail has pavilions, benches, three viewpoints and ten rest areas. The stated equal length makes it easy to compare the trails when planning your day, but their routes and landscapes differ. Check the condition of each trail before your visit.

For more nature experiences, the Vilnius region has lakes, forests and rivers. Activities on offer include hiking, kayaking and cycling tours. Exhibitions at the Neris Regional Park Visitor Centre in Dūkštos cover the park’s flora and fauna, as well as traditional crafts and folklore. If you want to combine several interests, you can pair an outdoor activity with a visit offering insights into nature and regional culture.

Trakai: castle, lake and regional cuisine

Trakai Island Castle was built as a fortress and later used as a residence by the Grand Duke. Today, it houses various exhibitions and serves as a venue for exhibitions and events. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Lithuania’s medieval defensive architecture and as the only water castle in Eastern Europe. Lake Galvė brings together a range of activities: water tourists, divers and holidaymakers visit the lake, while rowing and sailing teams train and compete there. The historic Potato Road offers views of the lake and island castle.

The restored Užutrakis Manor and its grounds on Lake Galvė also offer a glimpse into the life of the Lithuanian nobility in the 19th century. The park was designed by Édouard François André. Surrounded by lakes, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands on the Trakai Peninsula. Grand Duke Vytautas founded it in the 15th century; its architecture combines Gothic and Baroque elements. The annual Žolinės and Trakinės celebrations at the basilica draw pilgrims from neighbouring countries and other regions.

Kibinai are part of the region’s food culture: a traditional savoury filled pastry introduced by the Karaim people and associated with Trakai. When looking for a hotel in Vilnius County, you can base your choice on the experiences that matter most to your trip. Consider whether archaeological sites, walking trails, historic architecture or Trakai should be your main focus, then check the location and availability of the specific accommodation.

Discover more places

For regional reference: Vievis, Karvys, Kernavė, Švenčionys, Eišiškės, Avižieniai, Trakai District Municipality, Vilnius District Municipality, Ukmergė District Municipality, Kaniūkai, Žydkaimis, Kiemeliai, Strėva, Madžiūnai, Bezdonys, Juodšiliai, Liucionys, Antatilčiai, Aukštadvaris, Aluona, Glitiškės, Lentvaris, Vilnius District Municipality, Ukmergė District Municipality, Švenčionys District Municipality, Elektrėnai Municipality, Švenčionys District Municipality, Trakai District Municipality, Žuklijai and Širvintos District Municipality.